Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 27, 1993 TAG: 9305270355
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The number of participating teams has increased from 41 in the first year to a high of 188 in 1991 and '92.
Many of the teams travel a considerable distance to participate. As many as 13 states (in 1989) have been represented in past competition.
As each team's roster averages 17 players, the 1992 tournament involved 3,196 participants. If each player brought Mom and Dad (or two other friends or family members), nearly 10,000 people had a direct tie to last year's tournament.
Tournament officials estimate each individual spent approximately $150 in food, lodging and other expenses during his or her Roanoke stay last May, netting more than $1.4 million for the Roanoke Valley. Some players live in the Roanoke Valley, of course, and the estimate takes that fact into consideration.
This year, 122 teams are participating in the Crestar tournament, but the paring down has been beneficial, according to Danny Beamer.
"Greensboro used to have their tournament the weekend before ours, and they changed it this year," he explained. "It's very big - with about 250 teams - and that took away some of our teams. And then there's a new tournament going on in Norfolk this weekend also.
"But we feel that 122 teams will be a perfect number for us, taking into account hotel room and playing field availability," Beamer said.
Two other Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club tourneys during the year are also big regional draws. The Blum, Newman, and Blackstock 'N' Door Soccer Classic, begun in 1990, included 130 teams last year.
The First Virginia Bank Fall Soccer Classic started in 1991. This event drew 154 teams from nine states (including Alabama and New Jersey) last year.
by CNB